Stand alone water purifier

ABSTRACT

A water purification device, method and system with the water purification device having a container for holding a water purification material therein with the water purification device including a shroud extending in a direction generally normal to a flow of debris laden water with the shroud inhibiting direct flow of debris into a water inlet in the water purification device by directing water and debris over the shroud and around the water purification device while a portion of the water can be directed laterally into the water purification material within the water purification device to thereby purify the water that flows over the water purification materials with the water purification device including multiple spaced and positioned water inlets so that the likelihood of the water inlet being completely obstructed is remote.

This application is a division, of application Ser. No. 09/628,637,filed Jul. 31, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,334, issued Dec. 31, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to water purification and morespecifically to a water purification device and method for purifyingwater in a stream of water that may contain debris.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the difficulties with treatment of water in the skimmer basketregion of a pool or spa is that the water treatment device becomesclogged with debris. One prior art approach is shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,124,032 where the canister that holds chlorine is maintained above oralong side the skimmer basket. Another approach is shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,779,913 and 6,019,893 which shows a dispenser that is secured tothe underside of a skimmer basket. While not holding water purificationmaterials U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,350 discloses a pool skimmer basket thatincludes a central member that projects above the top of the skimmerbasket in order to prevent the basket from becoming clogged and thuspreventing flow therethrough. Thus, the placement of water purificationdevices in a skimmer basket is generally avoided because of cloggingproblems.

The present invention provides a water purification device that can bepositioned in a skimmer basket and in the flow of water with debris withthe water purification device maintaining the water inlet to the waterpurification device in a condition wherein water can continue to bedirected through the water purification device even though there is acontinual presence of debris in the water flowing around the waterpurification device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,350 discloses a pool skimmer basket with a centralcore projecting above the top of the skimmer basket.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,032 discloses a swimming pool chlorinator that ismaintained above the bottom of the skimmer basket.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,019,893 and 5,779,913 disclose a water purificationdevice that is secured to the underside of the skimmer basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A flow-through, water purification device, method and system with thewater purification device comprising a container for holding a waterpurification material therein with the water purification deviceincluding a shroud extending in a direction generally normal and lateralto a flow of debris laden water with the shroud inhibiting direct flowof debris into a water inlet in the water purification device bydirecting water and debris over the shroud and around the waterpurification device while a portion of the water is directed laterallyinto and through the water purification device and a further portion isdirected through water purification material within the waterpurification device to thereby purify the water that flows over thewater purification materials. A shielded exit located below the waterpurification devices maintains a portion of the skimmer basket free ofdebris to thereby provide a path for water to continually flow throughthe water purification device. The water purification device can alsoinclude multiple spaced and laterally positioned water inlets so thatthe likelihood of the water inlet being completely obstructed by debrisis remote.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water purification device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the water purification device shown in FIG. 1with the water purification device positioned on a puck;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the water purification device shown of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 of the water purification device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows the water purification device located in a skimmer basketin a swimming pool with a bacteria killing puck supporting the waterpurification device;

FIG. 6 shows the water purification device positioned in the bottom of askimmer basket with the top of the water purification device locatedbelow the top of the skimmer basket; and

FIG. 7 shows the water purification device located below the skimmerbasket in a pool of water with a bacteria killing puck located in theskimmer basket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water purification device 10 withthe water purification device having a general spherical shape with acover 12 which is also suitable for use as a handle for removing andreplacing the water purification device when the water purificationmaterial is spent or the skimmer basket is removed for cleaning. Thatis, cover 12 is spaced sufficiently far from shroud 11 so that a usercan insert his or her fingers beneath the cover to lift the waterpurification device free of the skimmer basket.

A shroud 11 extends radially outward to extend circumferentially over acontainer 13 located thereunder. Shroud 11 includes a first set ofshroud water inlets 11 a, a second set of shroud water inlets 11 b and athird set of shroud water inlets 11 c for directing water into container13. Each of the individual water shroud inlets have an arcuate shape andeach of the water inlets includes at least three water inlet ports withthe apex of each of the arcuate shroud water inlets located at thehighest vertical position of the shroud inlet. The shroud inletstogether with the shroud as will be described herein provide forflushing debris away from the shroud inlets.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the water purification device 10 with thewater purification device positioned on a puck 30 comprising a bacteriakilling chemical such as bromine or chlorine. In the operative positionthe water purification device can handle two different and distinctwater treatment products while maintaining the flow of water intocontact with both materials to thereby ensure that the water can be ridof unwanted bacteria or algae.

Water purification device 10 is shown with shroud 11 extending radiallyoutward over container 13 a distance denoted by R. Shroud 11 forms alateral top shield for a circumferential water inlet 22 formed betweencontainer 13 and cover 11. That is, a set of tabs 18 connect and holdshroud 11 in a spaced condition from container 13 so that water can flowlaterally in the circumferential inlet 22 located around the peripheryof water purification device 10. The purpose of having shroud 11 extendbeyond the periphery of container 13 is to enable the shroud to carrywater and debris that impinges normally on water purification device tobe carried past the lateral shielded water inlets 22. The arrowindicates the direction of water flow as the water flows overcircumferential edge 20 of the shroud 11. However, since the wateritself will tend to be drawn backward to the underside side 28 of shroud11 by the Coanda effect water will be directed laterally inward intocontainer 13 though inlet 22. Consequently, for debris to entercircumferential inlet 22 would require that the debris make an abruptchange in direction to flow into the circumferential inlet.Consequently, the momentum of the debris causes it to separate from theflow of water and be carried past circumferential inlet 22. Thuscircumferential water inlets 22 provide one path for ingress of waterinto water purification device 10 while inhibiting debris from enteringtherein.

Located on the top portion of water purification device 10 is acylindrical extension 15 that extends vertically upward from shroud 11to the underside of cover 12. FIG. 3 illustrates that the cylindricalextension 15 is shielded by cover 11. Locate within cylindricalextension 15 is a set of circumferentially spaced elongated slots 15 athat communicate with an interior chamber of water purification device10. Elongated slots 15 a provide a primary water inlet of water into thewater purification device 10 while the cover 12 shields the water inletsfrom clogging with debris by extending laterally past the elongatedopenings to thereby inhibit debris from entering water inlets 15 a.

The positioning of water inlet 15 a at the top of the water purificationdevice provides a two-fold purpose. First, it allows water to flow intothe water purification device and passage 60 even if the debris in theskimmer begins to build to a height sufficient to cover the skimmerbasket. That is, if the debris builds up around the periphery of thewater purification device 10 it creates a greater resistance for waterflow around the water purification device 10. Consequently, if any watercan still flow through the skimmer basket loaded with debris the waterwill continue to flow in the path of least resistance which is throughthe center of the water purification device and through passage 60.Thus, the system operates to purify water even if the skimmer basketbecomes filled with materials. Of course it is good practice not toallow the skimmer basket to be become completely filled as one shouldperiodically empty the skimmer basket. Seconds it allows water to flowinto the water purification materials in the water purification deviceeven though the skimmer basket may be filling up with debris.

In the embodiment shown a set of legs 31 support the water purificationdevice 30 on top of puck 30 with a water discharge outlet formed in thespace between the underside of water purification device 10 and puck 30.If puck 30 rests on the bottom of the skimmer basket the water flowingthrough the water purification device 10 will be able to released intothe water since the radially extending shroud and container 13 shieldthe water outlet from the container from debris.

A further feature of the water purification device is that waterpurification maintains a debris free footprint on the bottom of theskimmer basket. That is, container 13 which is supported on legs 13occupies a circular space over the bottom of the skimmer basket toprevent debris from falling into a circular area on the bottom of theskimmer basket and thereby completely clogg the bottom of the skimmerbasket with debris.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the water purification device 10 showing cover12 with portions of cover 12 extending radially outward in threedifferent directions. The cover 12 completely shields the water inlet 15a (FIG. 2) from the normal flow direction. It is noted that the set ofshroud water inlets 11 a, 11 b and 11 c are not shielded by cover 12 butare spaced radially outward on shroud 11 with each of the water inletshaving a curved recess that surrounds the port therein. For purposes ofdescription only one of the shroud ports and inlets will be describedhowever, the others have similar shapes. Reference numeral 40 identifiesan arcuate shaped recess 40 with an arcuate shaped port 41 positionedcentrally therein at the bottom of the arcuate shaped recess 40. Thepurpose of having the port 40 located below the plane of the shroud isso that any debris that might block the opening 41 would not be able tocome into direct contact with port 41 thereby allowing a continuing flowof water to channel or wash any debris off the smooth dome shape ofshroud 11.

While flow is directed over the surface of the dome shaped shroud 11there are include a set of scallops for funneling the water around thewater purification device. As each of the scallops are identical onlyone with be described herein. A scallop 11 f is located in waterpurification device 10 to provides a larger area for water to flow pastthe shroud. As a result water tends to funnel laterally into the scallop11 f and over the recessed areas of the shroud inlets thereby producinga washing action over the set of shroud water inlets 11 a of therebyinhibit debris in the water from blocking or obstructing the shroudwater inlets 11 a, 11 b and 11 c. It is apparent that in the presentinvention each of the water inlets includes either an obstruction or aflow diverter to inhibit debris from blocking the water inlets.

Located on the top side of water purification device 11 is a reminderdial that contains an outer section listing symbols that correspond tothe month of the year and an interior rotatable dial 51 that can berotated so that pointer 52 points to the month that the waterpurification device 10 should be replaced.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of water purification device 10 withflow arrows indicating the multiple separate flows of water through thewater purification device 10. Located within the interior of waterpurification device 10 is a water passage 60 that extends centrallythrough water purification device 10 with the elongated slots 15 a beingin fluid communication with water passage 60. Extendingcircumferentially around passage 60 are a set of circumferential waterinlets 60 a that direct water radially outward from passage 60 into anannular chamber 80 wherein water flows thorough water purificationmaterials 70 located in an annular compartment 83 within container 13.In the present embodiment the water purification materials 70 includes asilver ion generating material. In addition zinc or other metals couldbe used and if desired limestone can be used to maintain the pH of thewater. The present invention is well suited for the mineral typedispensers as the minerals can be shielded and protected from debriscontamination.

Passage 60 includes a restriction 61 that comprises a radial restrictionin flow area through passage 60. The purpose of restriction 61 is toincrease the resistance to water flow through passage 81 thus creating aback pressure in region 81 in fluid passage 60 which causes water toflow laterally and radially outward through water inlet 60 a and intothe water purification material 70. The amount of restriction can beadjusted to maintain the proper flow through the water purificationdevice by increasing or decreasing the diameter of the opening thereinIt will be evident that the water flowing though inlet 15 a has tworoutes, a first route straight through the water purification device 10without contacting the minerals 70 and a second route through the waterpurification minerals 70.

To illustrate the multiple flow paths of water through the waterpurification device 10 reference should be made to FIG. 4 which shows awater flow arrow 100. Water flows through primary water inlet 15 a andinto central chamber 81 in water passage 60. A portion of the water flowis delivered into minerals 70 as indicated by arrow 100 a and a furtherportion, indicated by arrow 100 b, flows directly through passage 80without coming into contact with the water purification materials 70.Thus a portion of the primary flow of water that enters the top of thewater purification device flows directly through the water purificationdevice without contacting the water purification materials while afurther portion is brought into contact with the water purificationmaterials 70.

Referring again to FIG. 4, a second flow path of water into chamber 80through inlets 11 b is indicated by arrow 101. This portion of waterflows downward into minerals 70 without any of the water stream beingdirected away from the water purification material.

FIG. 4 shows a third source of water flowing into container 13 throughthe circumferential passage 22 which extends between container 13 andshroud 11. Arrow 102 indicates the direction of flow of water throughpassage 22 directly into the minerals 70. In each case the water flowsthrough the minerals 70 and is discharged from the container 13 throughwater outlets 13 a located at the lower portion of container 13 a asindicated by the arrows extending through outlets 13 a. Thus inoperation of the invention water can be directed through any of thethree set of water inlets with two of the water inlets including eithera cover to prevent direct flow of cover into the water inlets and thethird water inlet having a recess with an arcuate shape that allow waterto be funneled toward the inlet and thereby wash off any debris that mayhave a tendency to block entry. From the above description it isapparent that in operation two of the three water inlets direct all thewater into the minerals 70 while the third inlet directs only a portionof the water into the water purification materials.

While only one set of water inlets could be used to direct water throughthe water purification device the use of multiple water inlets each ofwhich have some type of mechanism for maintaining the water inlet in adebris free condition greatly enhances the chances of at least some ofthe water inlets being maintained in an open condition so that water canbe continually purified as water flows through the water purificationdevice 10. Thus the water purification device continues to providesenhanced water purification characteristics even though some of thewater inlets may become blocked with debris.

FIG. 5 shows the water purification device 10 located in a skimmerbasket 202 in a swimming pool 200 with a bacteria killing puck 206supporting the water purification device. A pivoting gate 201 permitsenter of water 205 into skimmer basket 202. A pump 205 pulls water fromthe bottom outlet 205. In this condition the water impinges normallydownward on water purification device 10 as indicated by the arrows withthe water dividing and flowing as described in relation to FIG. 4. Inthis condition, the water purification device can both purify water withminerals as well as dispense chlorine since the water purificationdevice directs a stream of water over the chlorine to provide acontrolled release of chlorine.

FIG. 6 shows the water purification device positioned in an alternateoperating condition with the water purification device 10 supported inthe bottom 207 of a skimmer basket by legs 31. The top of the waterpurification device 10 is located below the top of the skimmer basketand the feet 31 support the water purification device 10 above thebottom 207 of skimmer basket to allow flow of water from the waterpurification device 10 through skimmer basket 10. FIG. 6 is identical toFIG. 5 except that the chemical puck shown in FIG. 5, which ispreferably chlorine, has not been included in the system. The advantageof placing puck 205 directly below the water purification devices asshown in FIG. 5 is that it provides a controlled release of chlorine. Inaddition, debris is prevented from piling on top of the puck 205 by thewater purification device 10 which forms an umbrella or shield over thepuck. Also, because the internal water passage 60 is large in comparisonto the flow paths through the water purification materials one isensured that a large portion of the fluid stream flows onto the chemicalpuck thereby liberating the bacteria killing chemical. A furtheradvantage is that a substantially more constant rate of water isdirected onto the puck 205 than if the puck were maintained in a freecondition in the skimmer basket.

While it is preferable to maintain the chemical puck beneath the waterpurification device in certain applications it may not be necessary toshield the chemical puck. FIG. 7 shows the water purification device 10can be located below the skimmer basket 202 in a pool of water 205 witha bacteria killing puck 206 located in the skimmer basket and the waterpurification device 10 located in housing 211 that contains slimmerbasket 202. The system of claim 7 allows the maintaining of thebacterial killing chemical puck 31 separate from the water purificationdevice and for maintaining the water purification device 10 in aposition where the water is generally cleaner since debris would becollected by skimmer basket 10. Consequently, the present inventionwhile providing for operation in severe conditions also permits the userto employ the water purification device 10 in various operatingpositions while still maintaining an effective delivery system.

The present invention provides a method of purifying water in a fluidstream containing debris by placing a container 13 with a waterpurification material 70 therein with the container 13 having a shroud11 thereover so that the shroud is aligned in a direction at leastpartially normal to a flow of a stream of water so that at least aportion of the stream of water and debris therein impinges on the shieldand is then carried past container 13 and at least a portion of thewater stream is separated therefrom so as to flow laterally into thecontainer 13 with the lateral flow of the portion of water inhibitingdebris in the water from being carried into the water inlets and therebyinhibiting the obstruction of the water inlets.

The container 13 can be placed either in the skimmer basket ordownstream of the skimmer basket. In addition a bacterial killingchemical can be placed beneath the container so that water flowingthrough a passage in the container impinges on the bacteria killingchemical to kill bacteria.

In order to maintain proper flow through the container one can place arestriction in the passage in the container so as to increase thepressure of fluid in a passage in the container to thereby direct moreor less water in a second lateral direction into the container 13.

By forming the shroud 11 of larger diameter than the container 13 theshroud extends radially over the container 13 to thereby cause a furtherportion water with debris therein to flow over the shroud 11 and pastthe container 13 while a portion of the water can flow laterally intothe container 13 and through the water purification materials 70.

In summary, the present invention provides for effective dispersion ofwater purification minerals under a variety of adverse conditions aswell as providing the user an option to use the water purificationdevice to shield solid chemicals that can be dispensed into the water tohelp maintain the purity of the water.

The water purification device 10 which is suitable for use in inside oroutside of a skimmer basket is shown in Figures to include a waterpurification mineral 70 located in annular container 13 for holding thewater purification minerals 17 with container 13 having an outlet forpassage of water therethrough which comprises a set of openings 13 asufficiently small to maintain the minerals 70 in the container frombeing washed out. A shroud 11 extends over container 13 to deflectdebris carried by the water away from the container 13. A first lateralwater inlet 15 a comprised of vertical elongated openings directs aportion of water flowing thereto into the water purification mineralcontainer 13 and a further portion through the container 13 withoutcontacting the water purification mineral 70. The cover 11, whichextends over first water inlet 15 a, inhibits debris from blocking firstwater inlet 15 a. The second lateral water inlet which is comprised ofcircumferential lateral inlet 22 directs a different portion of waterbeneath the shroud 11 and into the water purification mineral 70 in thecontainer and a third lateral water inlet comprised of shroud waterinlets 11 a, 11 b and 11 c, which are recessed in the shroud, direct astill different portion of water into the water purification minerals 70so that water flowing through the water purification device 10 enters indiscreet portions at multiple different locations in water purificationdevice 10 with each of the three multiple different locations are atdifferent vertical elevations on the water purification device 10.

We claim:
 1. A method of purifying water in a fluid stream containingdebris comprising the steps of: placing a container with a waterpurification material therein with the container having a shroudthereover so that the shroud is aligned in a direction normal to a flowof a stream of water so that at least a portion of the stream of waterand debris therein impinges on and is carried past said container but atleast a portion of the fluid stream is separated therefrom so as to flowlaterally into the container with the lateral flow of the portion ofwater inhibiting debris in the water from being carried into the waterinlet and thereby inhibiting the obstruction of the water inlet.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 including placing the container in a skimmer basket.3. The method of claim 1 including placing the container in a swimmingpool skimmer basket.
 4. The method of claim 1 including the step ofplacing the container downstream of the skimmer basket.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 including the step of placing a bacteria killing chemicalproximate the container so that water flowing through said container canflow past said bacteria killing chemical.
 6. The method of claim 5including the step of placing a bacteria killing puck beneath thecontainer to support the container to thereby allow water flowingthrough said container to come into contact with said puck.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 including the step of placing a restriction in thecontainer so as to increase the pressure of fluid in a passage in thecontainer to thereby direct the water in a second lateral direction intothe container.
 8. The method of claim 1 including forming the shroud oflarger diameter than the container so that the shroud extends radiallyover the container to thereby cause a further portion of water withdebris therein to flow over said shroud and past the container while aportion of the water can flow laterally into the container and throughthe water purification materials.